“Not ready?” He stuffed his hard dick back into his boxer briefs before standing to full height. “What the fuck do you mean? You think I’m satisfied with just eating pussy all the muthafuckin’ time? You’re going to be my wife. You owe me?—”
“I don’t owe you shit!” I hissed, fists clenched. “Putting your mouth on me is something you choose to do. I didn’t ask you. I told you when we first got together, I was in no rush to have sex. I can barely get time with you, and you think kissing on my vagina and making me come is going to make me forget the fact that you’ve been neglecting me? It doesn’t.”
“You know what?” He faintly chuckled as he stepped back into his slides, pulling his pullover from my coatrack. “When you grow up and want to be a woman, call me.” He walked toward the door before glancing back over his shoulder to look at me. “You’re going to fuck around and let another woman do what you can’t.”
“I’m shaking in my boots, nigga.” I walked to him, reaching around him to open my door. “Have a good night.”
Staring at me without another word, he stepped over the threshold, and I slammed the door behind him.
I couldn’t lie and say his words didn’t sting, because they did. He was right, and part of me knew it was a possibility that he would get what he couldn’t get from me elsewhere. But something was keeping me from giving my most sacred part to TJ, and until I could figure out why, it would stay with me. At the same time, if I ever found out he was cheating on me, it would be a wrap for us.
“Here you go, love. I’m so happy I was able to help you and your baby boy find a new home. If there is anything else that I can do for you, please feel free to call me at any time.”
Standing from my desk chair, I reached across the space, shaking the hand of Milly Grove’s newest resident, Angie. She and her son attended the open house I hosted the other night and fell in love with the place. I sold the house for a lot less than I wanted, but in this case, money wasn’t everything. She gave me a little insight into her life, and when I found out she had left an abusive ex, I was more inclined to help her than ever.
“Thank you so much, Blossom.” She accepted my hand as well as the set of house keys. “I just want to be able to give my son the best life possible, and our new home is a great start.” She smiled, placing the keys in her purse. “You just don’t know how much this means to me.”
“I’m glad I could help.” I walked around my desk and walked her toward the front lobby. It was quiet for a Monday, so I knew I would be closing the office a little early. “If you need help withanything else, please reach out. In your welcome home packet, you will also find a list of stores, MARTA schedules, as well as employment staffing companies. Milly Grove is a wonderful place to live, and I do not doubt that you will love it here.”
After talking for a few more minutes, I watched as she left the building. I said a small prayer that she and her son would have a safe and prosperous life.
“You know, friend, this is why you’re so blessed. You always go above and beyond to help people.”
“I just try to treat people the way I would want them to treat me.” I shrugged, looking around the lobby. The cleaners had come in over the weekend, and the place was spotless. “I was thinking about shutting down shop early today. Maybe I can call TJ and see if he wants to do a late lunch.”
A week ago, when I put him out of my home, it didn’t take long before he was beating down my door, apologizing. He knew he was wrong for not only pressuring me to have sex but also insinuating that he would get it elsewhere. He promised to do better, and he did for two whole days. Now, it was back to the same shit.
“Girl, I’m sure TJ is somewhere with his pen and notepad thinking he’s Elliot Stabler.” Stacy rolled her eyes as she continued to type away on her computer. “He treats you just like El did Kathy and won’t be satisfied until he pushes you into the bed of another man.” Peering up from her screen, a mischievous smile spread across her face. “On the other hand, that’s not a bad idea. Maybe a new man can break your back since it’s obvious you’re not going to let TJ do it.”
Rolling my eyes at her, I took a seat on one of the couches in the waiting area. Stacy has never been a fan of TJ, and vice versa. She always said there was something about him that was grimy and manipulative, while he said she was jealous that she didn’t have a man in her life to love her like he loved me. What wouldshe be jealous of? I don’t know because Stacy was gorgeous and pulled any man or woman she wanted. While I’m petite and short, she’s a damn brickhouse. She reminds me of Lizzo, from her pretty face to her high self-esteem. She had never let anything anyone says about her or her appearance get her down. I admired her so much.
“Why is it that every time you bring up my man, you have to bring up my vagina?” I giggled, pulling out my phone to text TJ. “I told you that sex just isn’t something I’m in a rush to have.”
Me:
Hey, I was thinking about closing early today. Would you like to meet me for a late lunch? I feel like I haven’t seen you in days.
“Bitch please!” She scoffed. “You’re saving yourself for a real nigga, and we both know it’s not the one you call yourselfloving. You’ve been with this man for over a year, and he barely has a toothbrush in your home. Not to mention, we haven’t talked about wedding dates, dresses, nothing.”
TJ:
Hey, I’m busy with work. The captain has me working on a big case. Rain check? I know we haven’t seen much of each other, but you know how much this promotion means to me. How about this: plan a vacation. I have time off coming up soon. We can go anywhere you want.
Sighing heavily, I exited our thread without responding. I could feel Stacy’s eyes on me, but I didn’t even want to hear her mouth. Thankfully, the doors chimed, indicating we had company.
“Hey, and welcome to—Rowan?” I cut my greeting off when I turned to see my guest. “Are you okay?” I stood from my seat, eyeing my disheveled brother. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
I loved my big brother and would do anything for him, but he was an entitled asshole. With different mothers and a father who was deep in politics, he had always felt as if he couldn’t find his place. I called bullshit. He was too grown to always need a reason to justify his outlandish behavior.
“Damn, I can’t stop by and check on my sister.” He slurred his words, wide-eyed as he looked around. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have half of this.”
Sighing heavily, I rubbed my temples at the headache I knew was coming. “Rowan, why are you here?”
It was no secret that my brother had nasty habits. Usually, he kept them under wraps because our father had made it clear that he wouldn’t tolerate public scrutiny, but as of late, Rowan hadn’t given a damn about any of that.
“I need some money.” He stumbled over to the couches, causing me to frown. He wasn’t drunk because he didn’t reek of his usual vodka. That led me to believe it was some type of drug he was under the influence of. “The check you gave me for the renovations wasn’t enough to help me cover everything I purchased, plus labor. I know you got it.”
Eyeing my brother, I really wanted to curse him out. The payment I gave him for the house was the one we both agreed upon. I always made sure to overcompensate him because not only does he and his team do a great job, but he was my family. I wanted to see him win more than anyone else.
